Hello M:R Nation -
WWDC is upon us once again and I for one, am excited! This time of year gives everyone in this industry a slight buzz. We frequent rumor sites and try to dig out any information we can from our suppliers to see what that have heard or seen. It’s actually like Christmas for fanboys and fangirls. Well, that’s if Christmas included an announcement of a incredible new product and then made you wait painfully for 3 more months until you could get your hands one, but I digress.
With the WWDC banners going up at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, we are less than a week away from the keynote speech that kicks it all off. This keynote is responsible for announcing many of the worlds great products, like the iPhone and iPod Touch and operating system updates, like the newest iOS for your devices. The keynote starts at 10am PDT and Apple will offer a live stream of the event (here is a link for ya: WWDC LIVE STREAM)
So, if you are still reading this post, it seems like I have your attention for the most part. So lets talk about some of the possible products that Apple will announce on Monday. This is where it gets fun! (Credit MacRumors for the possible product line up)
Mac Mini: Apple’s Mac Mini is long overdue for an update, having seen its last refresh in October of 2012. Apple’s plans for the computer are unknown, but a refresh could bring Haswell processors with Iris integrated graphics and 802.11ac WiFi support.
Apple TV: Rumors have suggested that a redesigned set-top box is in the works, with support for iOS games and possibly a full App Store. While initial chatter pointed towards an April release date for the product, it has seemingly been delayed even beyond WWDC.
iWatch: Apple introduced the radically redesigned Mac Pro at the Worldwide Developers Conference last year and this year, and while some have held out hope that the company will give us a look at its highly rumored iWatch, it looks like that will not be happening.
The iWatch is expected to include several health-related sensors and capabilities, based on Apple’smultiple hires in the health and fitness fields. Along with tracking steps taken, sleep quality, and calories burned like many standard fitness devices on the market, Apple’s device may also incorporate advanced features like heart rate measurements and hydration monitoring.
Along with its health and fitness tracking functionality, the iWatch will likely integrate with the iPhone and iOS devices, allowing users to receive notifications and messages, possibly accessing various features through Siri integration.
While Apple’s hires have pointed towards possible iWatch capabilities, little else is known about the device. There have been no design leaks, giving no indication of what Apple’s wearable might look like. A release date is also up in the air, although it seems that late 2014 is the focus of current rumors.
12-Inch Retina Macbook: Apple is said to be working on an updated 12-inch MacBook that includes a Retina display. Said to beeven slimmer than existing MacBook Airs, it is unclear whether the product will join Apple’s MacBook Airs lineup or whether it will be in a category of its own.
According to KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo, the 12-inch MacBook boasts the portability of the 11-inch MacBook Air with the productivity of the 13-inch MacBook Air, offering a high resolution display along with an improved clamshell structure.
Additional rumors have hinted at a revamped trackpad design without a mechanical button and the lack of a fan assembly, resulting in silent operation. Digitimes has also suggested that Apple is working on a Retina MacBook Air to be released in 2014, but it is unclear whether the publication was referring to the 12-inch model referenced in previous rumors or an updated 11 and 13-inch Retina version.
Apple has just updated the MacBook Air with a price drop and a very minor processor speed bump at the low end, suggesting that an unveiling of Retina versions at WWDC is unlikely. A more likely timeframe for the 12-inch Retina MacBook would be later in the year, perhaps around Apple’s usual October Mac update window.
Last but not least is the iPhone 6! We have seen several parts and mock-ups for the iPhone 6, but sadly, the iPhone redesigns are usually announced in the fall. However, I have my fingers crossed that Apple will shock us all and announce this monster on Monday!
So where will you be this coming Monday? If you have never taken an hour or so to watch one of these events, I highly recommend it, even if you are not an Apple fan. There is something truly magical about how they describe their products.
Any ideas on what Apple might be announcing? Shoot me an email @ troy@missionrepair.com, I’d love to nerd it out with you for a bit!
Cheers, Troy
